DALLAS — During the week of May 5-11, 2025, several major airlines announced or launched significant new routes worldwide, highlighting strategic expansion in the aviation industry. 

These new connections span multiple continents, focusing on expanding transatlantic service, strengthening regional networks in Asia, and establishing new connections between North and South America. 

We’ll look at the most notable route announcements from the past week, categorized by region and strategic significance.

North American Carriers Expand International Footprint

North American carriers made several significant route announcements this week, focusing on international expansion and strategic domestic connections.

New Trans-border, Caribbean Routes

Air Transat (TS) revealed plans for a new Toronto Pearson (YYZ) to Georgetown (GEO), Guyana service as part of its winter 2025-26 program. The twice-weekly flights will operate on Tuesdays and Fridays from December 16 through April 24, 2026. 

"With this new route, we are expanding our presence in South America while optimizing the use of our aircraft," said Sebastian Ponce, Air Transat's chief revenue officer, noting that the route addresses "strong demand from the Guyanese diaspora in Canada and appeals to leisure travelers seeking new destinations".

Delta Air Lines (DL) announced a new year-round daily service between New York LaGuardia (LGA) and Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP), starting November 6. This expands DL's presence along Florida's Gulf Coast. This builds upon DL's previously announced seasonal Saturday service between these airports for summer 2025. The year-round flights will utilize Embraer 175 aircraft.

In a notable development reflecting geopolitical tensions, DL has temporarily paused its daily nonstop service to Tel Aviv from New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) through May 19, citing the "ongoing conflict in the region".

Caribbean, Latin American Expansion

Aviation Week reported that Arajet (DM), the not so mysterious Dominican Republic-based low-cost carrier (LCC), announced expansion with two new routes.

Starting November 20, DM will launch a nonstop service connecting Santo Domingo's Las Américas International Airport (SDQ) with Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), which operates thrice weekly. 

This marks DM's second gateway in the northeastern United States, complementing its existing Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) service.

Additionally, beginning December 12, DM will introduce twice-weekly nonstop flights from SDQ to Buenos Aires’ Ezeiza International Airport (EZE). Both routes will utilize Boeing 737-8 aircraft, strengthening air connectivity between North America, the Caribbean, and South America.

Transpacific Network Development

As reported by Routes Online, American Airlines (AA) and Qantas (QF) announced the expansion of their joint trans-Pacific network with new and increased flights between the United States and Australia. 

This development, announced on May 6, will enhance connectivity options for travelers between the two countries, though specific route details were not fully disclosed in the search results.

Canada-US Route Reductions

In contrast to the expansion trends, WestJet (WS) announced on May 7 that it is suspending nine transborder routes for parts of the summer, citing "declining demand for travel to the U.S. amid growing tensions" between the two nations. 

This unusual development points to potential geopolitical factors affecting air travel demand in the North American market.

Middle Eastern and Asian Carriers Forge New Connections

Several carriers from the Middle East and Asia announced new routes during the week, focusing on key strategic markets and expanding their global footprints.

Middle East Expansion

Flydubai (FZ) announced it will begin daily flights to Peshawar on May 15, expanding its Pakistan network to seven cities. The service to Bacha Khan International Airport (PEW) will operate from Terminal 2 at Dubai International Airport. 

This addition builds upon FZi's longstanding presence in Pakistan. It first launched service in 2010 with flights to Karachi and has since added routes to Faisalabad, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan, Quetta, and Sialkot.

Oman Air (WY) revealed plans to significantly ramp up its domestic operations for the 2025 Khareef season. Starting July 1, it will offer up to 12 daily flights between Muscat and Salalah. 

The carrier added 70,000 additional seats on this route by the end of the year, a 16% increase compared to 2024. This expansion aims to support domestic tourism during the popular monsoon period in southern Oman.

Asian Carrier Network Growth

Vietnam Airlines (VN) launched flights between Hanoi and Hyderabad, operating three times weekly on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. This addition strengthens the carrier's presence in the Indian market, adding a fourth gateway following New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. "Hyderabad serves as an important gateway to southern India," noted Nguyen Trung Hieu, country manager for India at VN.

Taiwan's Starlux Airlines (JX) announced a new direct route between Taipei and Shimojishima Airport in Miyakojima City, Japan, starting August 22. The airline becomes the first Taiwanese carrier to offer nonstop service to Shimojishima. Flights will operate twice weekly using an Airbus A321neo, with a flight time of approximately 1.5 hours, and run through October 24.

Southeast Asian Developments

AirAsia (AK) announced plans on May 7 to expand into Saudi Arabia with new routes from Kuala Lumpur to Riyadh and Dammam. AK parent Capital A has identified Saudi Arabia as a "top priority market" for expansion, marking a strategic push into the Middle East market.

Additionally, on May 7, Wizz Air (W6) revealed plans to grow its Yerevan footprint as Armenia unveiled a new connectivity plan. The European LCC, already the largest international airline in Armenia's market, will expand its presence starting in October with the opening of new routes from Yerevan.

European Carriers Adjust Service Offerings

European carriers made several notable route announcements during the week, reflecting expansion and strategic adjustments.

Air France (AF) announced plans to increase frequencies between Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) and New Delhi this winter. The flights will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays with a Boeing 777-200ER aircraft, strengthening the carrier's presence in the growing France-India market.

TUI Airways (BY) launched service from Newcastle International Airport (NCL), England, to Agadir, Morocco. The twice-weekly service will operate during the summer season.

Chris Logan, commercial director at TUI UK, noted that the route adds to the operator's growing portfolio from Newcastle and reflects its commitment to offering more destination choices for travelers from northeast England.

Romania-Syria Air Corridor Development

In a significant political and commercial development, Romanian carrier Dan Air (DN) announced on May 8 that it will become the first EU-based airline to offer service to Syria after the ousting of longtime President Bashar al-Assad. 

The airline plans to open four new routes to Syria, creating a new air corridor between the European Union and Syria.

And there you have them. Our takeaways: key trends observed include the continued strength of transatlantic and transpacific routes, strategic positioning in emerging markets, and some adjustments in response to geopolitical tensions—business as usual for global commercial flight.

Stay tuned to next week's Routes Recap.